Peach tree named ‘Sweetprim’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘Sweetprim’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Sweetprim’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree, Prunus persica which has been given the variety denomination‘Sweetprim’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life withoutalteration both on the tree after growth completion and afterharvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruit forfresh market in June in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.Contrast is made to ‘Nectaprima’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,583) yellownectarine tree and ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) whitenectarine tree, its parents, for reliable description. ‘Sweetprim’ is apromising candidate for commercial success in that it has veryattractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration beforeafter harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘Sweetprim’ white peach tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it wastested. The ‘Sweetprim’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross betweenthe ‘Nectaprima’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,583) yellow nectarine tree,which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree, which was used as the pollenparent. ‘Sweetprim’ was provisionally designated, tested and geneticallyidentified by a genetic profile, under No. 4N.09.21 PB and wasregistered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of theFrench Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under No. 1024468 and name‘Sweetpearl’. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by graftingon a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock tree.

It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristicsmaking it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are noknown effects of the standard ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented)rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remainedtrue to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and thefruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us inElne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignanin the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, itapproximately blooms between the 1^(st) and the 12^(th) of March undernormal climatic conditions, generally at the same time than its seedparent ‘Nectaprima’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,583).

The first fruit of ‘Sweetprim’ peach tree ripens in June, generallybetween 4 and 10 days later than its seed parent ‘Nectaprima’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 17,583), and between 2 and 3 weeks earlier than itspollen parent ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579). Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between June 13^(th) and 22^(th)under normal climatic conditions. The date of maturity varies slightlywith the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruitspecimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows two whole fruits of the newvariety, leaves of the new variety and a third fruit cut in half fordepicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Sweetprim’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting.

Trees are vigorous to very vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration offlowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun.Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower is showy withrelative medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glandsare present and round. Time of maturity for consumption is early. Thefruit flesh is white and its skin is very thick, with a purple red blushon a red background. The stone is medium size. Fruit taste issemi-sweet.

In comparison to its male parent, which is ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 17,579), the new variety is a peach tree instead of a nectarinetree.

In comparison to its female parent, which is ‘Nectaprima’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 17,583), the new variety is a peach tree instead of a nectarinetree, and is producing fruits with a white flesh instead of fruits witha yellow flesh.

Differences between blooming and ripening periods of the new variety andits parents are provided above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following was observed on trees intheir fourth growing season under the ecological conditions prevailingat the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. All observations have been done on rootstockcultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented)tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Societyof Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots            length comprised.-   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole    orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree    lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same    tree line.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous to very vigorous. The present variety    grew from about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing    season. For second and following seasons, the variety was pruned to    an approximate height of 250 cm. It might be useful to reduce trees    nitrogen intake, in order to limit excessive vegetation.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for    the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the    years of observation.-   Form: The ‘Sweetprim’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to    semi-upright shape.-   Density: Considered medium dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales    departement typical climatic conditions and was selected for its    hardiness. Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling    requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good    behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by    ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius. The tree was    also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 9.0 cm in diameter when measured at a    distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level. The branching    begins at 50 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with folds of papery    scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels range in    size from approximately 5.0 millimeters to 7.0 millimeters in width,    and from 1.5 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters in height.-   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside is    considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).-   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little more    pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black    202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered    medium to thick for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The current    season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 9.0 millimeters, and    observed branches have a diameter comprised between 20.0 and 30.0    millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 70 degrees from    the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not    considered distinctive of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Generally 25.0 millimeters to 35.0 millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of new shoot            tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or less            brown-red (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been    taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately    mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width ranges between 3.8 and    4.-   Leaf length: Approximately 160.0 to 175.0 millimeters with leaf    petiole.-   Leaf width: Approximately 36.0 to 44.0 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape: Concave.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form: Acuminate and small.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).-   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green 145            D).-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller    leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered small.        -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Light green shading to cream-white (RHS Yellow Green            145 B to C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.3            millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 2 to 4 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by the            petals, is generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B            to 69 C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            flowering. The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The    current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or    heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in    orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average    temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in    summer.-   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom was observed on    March 1, 2005.-   Blooming time: Considered semi-early season in relative comparison    to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales    departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March.    The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and    cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was observed    approximately on March 6, 2005.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 12 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.-   Flower size: Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at full    bloom is approximately 34.0 to 38.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 45 flowers per    meter.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large for the species.-   Length: Generally about 20.0 millimeters.-   Width: Generally about 19.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Round-shaped.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Petal color: Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to C) when young,    darkening with advancing senescence.-   Fragrance: Pronounced.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slightly rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.-   Petal margins: Generally very slightly undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally dome-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to D).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A green yellow (varying from RHS Yellow 13 A to B to            RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B)-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per    flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Medium in length.        -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed            Purple 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color    (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is    considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 16.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally            superior or equal to the pistil's length.-   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C    to D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Generally smaller or equal to filaments length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150 D to RHS Yellow Green 151 D).        -   Surface texture.—Pubescent.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: June 13, 2006.-   Date of last picking: June 20, 2006. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘Sweetprim’    variety has an early date of picking, and a grouped maturity: only 2    harvests in approximately 10 days are generally necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, and homogeneous            in size.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 74.0 to 80.0 millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 68.0 to 75.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally around 200.0 grams. This characteristic is    highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and    therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in            symmetry, viewed from pistil end.-   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the    base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along    the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color, a purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 A) on a red            background (RHS Red 46 A).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Non-prominent, depressed, very small.-   Base: Slightly wide-mouthed, shallow.-   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 1.2 cm.    Average width is about 2.0 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and tenacious to            moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous and luminous            purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 A). The red blush covers 80%            to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the            blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally            dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the            fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color appears on up to 20% of the            fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Red 46 A).-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters.-   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenously, slowly, long shelf-life.        -   Texture.—Firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, very juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Generally not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13            and acidity comprised between 7 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor            is considered aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Pinky white flesh (RHS Red Purple 69 D) with            red pigmentation (RHS Red Purple 61 C) more and more            pronounced (RHS Red Purple 61 A to B) from the stone cavity            to under the skin.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Approximately 34.0 to 38.0 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately 26.0 to 28.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.-   Form: Elliptic.-   Base: Generally straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short and acuminate.-   Stone Cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and    dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    light orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 D) to red-brown (RHS    Greyed Red 178 B).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately between 3.0 and 4.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-brown (RHS Greyed            Orange 167 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 C).            The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘Sweetprim’ is considered to be a peach    tree of the early season of maturity, and which produces fruits that    are considered firm, attractively colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet    taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting    when at full maturity.-   Keeping quality: Good to very good. Fruits have a slow maturation    and a long shelf-life both on the tree after growth completion and    after harvesting. Storage should be possible at 2.0 degree Celsius    for more than one month.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new peach    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its    resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf    life without alteration after harvest permit 2 weeks to 3    weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery    mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and    strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet whiteflesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very highpercentage of red blush.